Suspect in fiery U-Haul police chase heads to court

REVERE, Mass. — A Cambridge man will be in court Monday on charges that he led police in a chase that ended in a flames.

The ordeal began around 3 a.m. Sunday in Saugus after police received a report of a break-in at a restaurant on Essex Street, and suspect Robert Silva, 50, was able to flee the area in a stolen U-Haul.

Police said they tried to pull the truck over but Silva refused to stop, eventually slamming into a Broadway body shop in Revere and bursting into flames.

Silva also crashed into a police cruiser during the pursuit, police said.

The officer was not injured.

Silvia was arrested on a breaking and entering charge and a number of charges related to the chase.

Firefighters were able to contain the flames and the building was not a total loss.

Police say the auto body shop contained paint supplies and other highly flammable materials, so firefighters had to work quickly to keep the blaze from going beyond their control.

Silva is expected to face numerous charges in court Monday including breaking and entering and driving without a license.

Cox Media Group